13 June — Maana e Whakarewa: RAISING VOICES IN SONG
With our 80th anniversary of the Hamilton Civic Choir, we are joining together with the St Peter’s Cathedral Choir for a fundraising concert, all proceeds going to the Cathedral earthquake strengthening project.

The Cathedral stands on the hill of Pukerangiora, a site sacred to the people of Tainui, particularly Ngāti Wairere, and a place of prayer and worship for centuries.

Built 110 years ago, the Cathedral is a sacred space for all. The Cathedral now requires earthquake strengthening. Acting now allows this work to be carried out while protecting a place of worship, music, memory and service, ensuring it continues to serve the city and wider region for generations to come. Not simply about strengthening a building, it is also safeguarding a taonga that belongs to all Waikato ensuring it continues to serve the city and wider region for generations to come.
The “feature” piece of this concert is the fabulous  Gabriel Fauré “Requiem”, a well known but always welcomed piece. The solos will be sung by representatives of each choir- soprano- Gabriella Schuitemaker from the Cathedral Choir, and baritone- Robert Abbel of the Hamilton Civic Choir. With the organ accompaniment by Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes and Elise Bradley  MNZM, this shall be a wonderful performance. Both choirs will present several joint pieces as well as performing some of their own individual repertoire including “Here is The River” by Fergus Byett, a favorite ex-chorister of both choirs! Other pieces sure to delight include the “Kyrie” from F.J. Haydn’s “Nelson Mass” “A Star shall rise up out of Jacob”, F Mendelssohn, The R. Vaughan-Williams “Let all the World in Every Corner Sing” As well as an organ solo; “Theme and Variations” by Hendrik Andriessen will be played by the cathedral’s organist, Anne Cleaver.

Do come and join us for some magical music and fundraising to preserve this precious taonga, The St Peter’s Cathedral

19 September — TIAKINA TE REO WAIATA: KEEPING THE SONG ALIVE – 80th Anniversary Celebration, Cambridge Town Hall

12 December — KIA TIPU O NGAA WAIATA: LET THE SONGS FLOURISH – Handel’s Messiah (Part One) & Messe de Minuit pour Noël(Charpentier)